Symptom · Abdominal pain

Why do I have abdominal pain?

Abdominal pain, or stomach pain, is common and usually not serious, but some causes need prompt care. Here is a plain-language overview and the warning signs that mean you should seek help.

When abdominal pain needs prompt care

Seek urgent care if your abdominal pain is severe, comes on suddenly, or comes with a rigid, tender belly, repeated vomiting, vomiting blood, blood in your stool, a high fever, or if you cannot keep any fluids down. Pain after a recent injury, or severe pain with dizziness, also needs prompt attention.

Common causes of abdominal pain

Most abdominal pain comes from common, self-limiting causes such as indigestion, gas, constipation, or a stomach bug. It can also come from conditions affecting the stomach, bowel, gallbladder, or urinary tract. Where the pain is, how it feels, and whether it is linked to eating, bowel movements, or other symptoms are all useful clues.

What a clinician looks at

A clinician considers the location and character of the pain, how long it has lasted, and any accompanying symptoms, and may examine your abdomen or use tests. Pain that is severe, persistent, or getting worse, or that comes with the warning signs above, is worth having checked rather than waiting out.

What to consider next

Seek urgent care for severe, sudden, or worsening abdominal pain.
Note the location, timing, and any link to eating or bowel habits.
Persistent or recurrent pain is worth discussing with a clinician.

Think through your symptoms

Answer a short set of structured questions and Mednex gives a cited, plain-language read on what could be involved and what to consider next. It is educational and never a diagnosis.

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Common questions

When is abdominal pain an emergency?

When it is severe or sudden, or comes with a rigid tender belly, repeated or bloody vomiting, blood in the stool, high fever, or an inability to keep fluids down. These features can point to causes that need prompt treatment, so they should not be waited out.

Most stomach pain is harmless, so why check it?

Most abdominal pain does come from common, self-limiting causes, but a minority of cases are serious. Checking matters when the pain is severe, persistent, worsening, or paired with warning signs, because those are the situations where the cause is more likely to need treatment.

Does the location of the pain tell the cause?

Location is a helpful clue but not a definitive one, because different conditions can cause pain in similar areas and pain can shift. Clinicians use location together with timing, character, and other symptoms rather than relying on it alone.

Sources

MedlinePlus [Internet]. Bethesda (MD): National Library of Medicine (US); Abdominal Pain; [cited 2026 Jul 14]. Available from: https://medlineplus.gov/abdominalpain.html
MedlinePlus Medical Encyclopedia [Internet]. Bethesda (MD): National Library of Medicine (US); Abdominal pain; [cited 2026 Jul 14]. Available from: https://medlineplus.gov/ency/article/003120.htm
National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases (US); Digestive Diseases; [cited 2026 Jul 14]. Available from: https://www.niddk.nih.gov/health-information/digestive-diseases

Content last reviewed 9 July 2026. Reference ranges vary by laboratory; always read your results against the range printed on your own report.

This page describes a common symptom in general terms using public information from the U.S. National Library of Medicine. It is educational and is not a diagnosis or medical advice, and it cannot tell you what is causing your symptom. If your symptom is severe, sudden, or does not go away, or if you are worried, contact a healthcare professional.